Happy New Year!

OH dearest family,

I LOVE YOU!!!

Christmas was just superb this year. Thanks again for the wonderful package. I really loved it all, and will everyday until I eat all the oatmeal and snacks. I especially loved the Andes mints. While unlike before, where I just ate them becasue they reminded me of Fawther, I really loved the mint part of it. Mint doesn't exsist here in these parts of the world. (so that Mint & Chip ice cream from Thrifty's looked DELICIOUS). So thanks. My new pj bottoms now keep me covered every night. ( I was going to say Warm... but....it's thailand....so...it's not like i'm cold or anything. Even though the kohn thai's are ALL wearing big winter coats and scarves and hats and such.) And the mini- Book of Mormon. YES... best present ever. I can't wait to mark that up and take it around so conveniently in my "lumber pack".

I especially loved looking at the pics that Riley sent. You are all so cute. I like the colors you picked to wear from this years picture. It warmed my already warm little heart right up. The house looks great by the way. And it was funny that it took me a little while to figure out which kid was which. They're all soo grown up! Speaking of pictures, I just uploaded a few since I happened to have my camera with me, But more pictures are to come.

I don't really know what to say this week because I just talked to you (which is infinitely faster than typing...so it means you just got about 12 weeks worth of letters in the time we talked). I can't believe it's already 2553...that went by REALLY fast... No but really... 2010 already. DANG, GINA! I'm still waiting for Y2K and having to eat all the food storage under Ray and Kathy's bed.. Wow.

Well... I think that's all for today. I LOVE YOU ALL. I hope you all have fun this new years. Be safe. Sell lots of programs.

Farewell to Michigan.

Love,

Sister O'Neil

P.S. Has anyone ever gotten a post card from me in the mail? Somehow I don't trust Thai's with postcards... normal yes... but postcards?

Brenda... Sammy's soo big! merry Christmas Bean!
Katie Shaw: Don't go to Chicago
Kellie Caliente- umm.. .I love you. Just wanted to say it.
Tara/Laura- I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU.... I need to know what's going on. ASAP

Everyone else.. Yes... i love you too.

Goals for 2010 for everyone: Write at least one letter to Me, you're favorite Sister Missionary. I appreciate all of you who do write and this isn't a plea for more mail.. in the sense that one on sends me any. It's just I would love to have one hand written letter from my favorite people in my life, and there's never going to be a better time to do it than this YEAR while i'm on my mission. So ready? Go..! I promise you blessings. It's my right as a missionary. ;)

Merry Christmas!!

Hello dearest Family (and friends)!!!

Well... the big day has arrived! Today is Christmas in Thailand....for missionaries. Yes, Technically it's still two days away, but we are celebrating today seeing as it is P-day and we have a big ward activity to go to tonight. Christmas for me came a week early this year...Why? Do you ask...well...Last week was moved meeting...and I, of course moved again. But I was lucky enought to be called to move to heaven...aka "Chaing Mai" There are certain places that all missionaries in Thailand want to go, and apparently this is i... (There's only one other spot that they call the Celestial kingdom, but there are no sisters there... So this is just the second level of the celestial kingdom). So, after moves meeting was over we just sat around the church until we had to go to the train station, to sit around some more until the train came, and then we sat around some more. OK.. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE trains. Ok...well... even if you didn't...you do now. I love riding on trains... and I've always wanted to go on a train and you know, sleep in a sleeper car or something to the effect of Harry Potter.. So needless to say, I was excited. The train wasn't exactly like that though. We had beds, but it was like the Hogwarts Express, Thai-land version. (Aka, squatter toilets and such) I still loved it though. 12 glorious hours of seeing Thailand. The REAL deep Thailand. (yes please!)

So yes. I'm now serving in a great place called Chaing Mai (way up north). And, since I'm running out of time, I will just tell you all about it when you call me in a couple days. And yes, YOU have to call me...

Ok.. I better go now. I LOVE YOU ALL. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Talk to you soon!

Love, Sister O'Neil

Oh! I almost forgot... As of next Monday (the 28) P-day is changing to Monday!!!

10 short days‏

Well... last week when I was leaving my "three-o" in Tall Bridge, i jokingly told them I was just going to the city of monkeys to vacation for 10 days before moving again.... And, little did I know was that I literally would have a "vacation" of sorts from missionary work. Like I mentioned, last week, my sweet new comp, Sister Josephsen, was sick. I thought maybe it'd last a day or so, but.... on day 3 of sick comp watch, I wrote a bunch of letters. On day 4, I "scrapbooked" and day 5, I made of new song... and on day 6 and 7 I wrote more letters. ( I sent all 20 off today... including your Christmas present Jenny, so sorry if it's a bit late. I tried to send it off earlier, but it was the Kings birthday, so they were closed). I now know Sister Jo, from the Ho (Idaho) VERY well. We are tight like unto a dish. So as far as missionary WORK, work is.. i don't have much to report for the week... (but actually, I don't think i really write a whole lot about it ever....which doesn't make any sense... that's all i do out here... BUt i guess because it's all i do, I just assume you all know that every week is full of teaching and finding and hence use my time telling you about other ridiculous things. However, I shocked by how quickly you can fall in love with a place and the people who live there. The members here in Thailand never cease to amaze me with their kindness, charity (and humor) towards the missionaries. There is this one family (a mom and dad and two awesome kids) who I JUST LOVE already... they are hilarious. And when I found out they have only been members for 3 months, my mind blew up a little bit. I couldn't believe it. I really thought the kids were born and raised and the parents were lifelong member, too. The gospel is INCREDIBLE. To see what it did for this family in such a SHORT amount of time is just....incredible... i can't even describe it. It's a common story I've heard from my time here.. A woman would start learning about the gospel and when the missionaries taught her about eternal families she laughs and says " i don't even want to be with him now, why would I want to be with him forever?!" Then eventually the whole family would be baptized and this couple (and family) becomes inseparable! And they are alll the most humble, charitable, loving people ever. Wow... The Church is true.

So... lets see, what else? This city really does have monkeys everywhere. I haven't seen much of the city, but yesterday we went to go visit this member at her smoothie shop. I sat inside drinking a delicious shake while I watched the monkey steal my water bottle from my bike basket. I forgot my scriptures were in there too, but he didn't get away with it ( I just have monkey hand prints all over it) This city is beautiful too. Sooo mysteriously ancient and enchanting. (Oh, this is random... but today while I was printing off pictures i noticed a news report, and I thought they were talking about a dead body... but really it was just a Buddha head and feet... it was strange. I know I'm not explaining it right... but i was relieved to see it was a real decapitate head they were showing, but rather just a Buddha decapitated golden head. However, I think they would show a real head on TV or newspapers here... We've seen ALL kinds of crazy things)

In other news, I discovered the coolest man alive.. (ok.. Not discovered, I did go to his school, and he's not alive...but)... Do you all realize how COOL Brigham Young is?!? I spent this whole morning reading The Teachings of Brigham Young.. He's....wow. I''ve been thinking about that book all day. I also spent a good portion of the day just cleaning.. We're moving out.. aka... closing the area for sisters. Thailand will be going for 150 missionaries to 92 missionaries by April.. Tomorrow we lose another sister... which means were down to 19 or so... So areas will have to keep closing. Sad!

OK, well, I better go. Sounds like you're all doing great and getting ready for Christmas! yay! I love you all. Thanks for the love and support, always! I'll be writing again next Wed.

The church is TRUE.

Farewell to Manzanar,

Love, Sister โอนีล

Hellooooooooooo‏

Well, I think I'll be able to write a pretty decent letter today. I don't have a lot to read or respond to (except for Brenda...I love your random emails...Is it me?! Is it me!? lol....what the? And #3 already? Dang GINA! Please tell her congrats from me from Thilandia) I hop[e that you are all having a grand and glorious week, making preparations for (Christmas (was in thai won't copy and paste into blogger)) and such. I can't believe it's soo soon. (Did I tell you I got and advent calendar... In honor of the Sherinians/Mom) I love it, in all it's chocolate glory (with ants...sometimes)

Anyhoo...where do I begin. I guess I should tell you that I was moved. I am now in a little place called (Lapburi) (yes, I did tell you about this place last week. We came up here to play with the monkeys and sunflowers). And here's what happened: President called me on Saturday morning and was like "Sister O'Neil, I need you to do something for me." (ok...) " I need you to pack your bags and be ready to go after 2 o'clock today" ("Ok....sure thing, Pres" but in my head I'm thinking "What the?! no!!! Gift's getting baptised tomorrow!") So, I get off the phone and my comps and the Elders were both like..."What's going on" "well, I'm moving to Lapbuir in 3 hours..." "WHAT?" Yes, it was all very exciting and unexpected...However, the good news was, Pres called back 4 min later and said "oh, sorry...You'll be moving tomorrow. (*whew*) I got my dates mixed up." So Sat night was spend packing up and such. The Sunday was a very eventful day. We started it off by going to church (where the Bishop made a special announcement and told everyone I was leaving (even though 20 min after I knew, everyone started calling...it was crazy how fast news travels) and had me say goodbye/testimony. Then we had Gift's baptism. Which was amazing! In the middle of Sunday school we realized we forgot to turn on the water! So the elders rand down there and started filling it (with 3 hoses). Elder Frouriizil did the honors, and even though she was WAY under already, I guess he didn't think she was, so he pushed her down more and then we PULLED her out and she came out gasping (it was sooo cold!) It was really just a grand sight to see. YAY! I LOVE this girl. I'm sure you'll all hear all about her all the time when I get home. So after Church, we were invited to eat Lunch at one of my favorite members house.... and pretty much all of my favorite people in the ward were there too. It was such a fun lunch. Then the APs came to pick me up and then the 3 of us Road tripped it out to Lopburi. It was such a weird thing to be road tripping in THAILAND, traveling though this beautiful country side, with 2 elders, while listening to Sufjan Stevens Christmas music, and talking about random deep doctrine stuff....Probably one of my favorite moments...so simple and so fun.

So I'm in this new area, but president said I'll be moving again at moves meeting, which is a week from today...*which means P-day is next Tuesday, so If you want to write, do it before Monday around 4pm ish???)* I didn't really know my new comp since she's been out of Bangkok the whole time, and I've been in it, but I feel like I've been comps with her for a long time already. Maybe it's because we had a 13 hour chat yesterday because she was sick! She's great (Megan and my comps sister are in the same ward in Idaho...random). And I pretty much love her already. yay!

Ok....well maybe I lied about write a long letter today. I got distracted. Maybe next week. Anyhooo, I better go now. I love you all!!

The Church is true!!

Love,

Sister Hili

DECEMBER???? ALREADY?

Dearest Family,

Well, I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving (it sounds like you did!) And so did I. I can not tell you how weird and fun it was to join this American family for dinner. It was amazing, (and so was their house) I honestly felt so awkward at first because it was just sooo "high-so" but then we just ate, drank and were merry. I don't know why, but I failed to mention some of the things I'm thankful for.... so here they are (in some particular order...but not really) Family, Friends, the Gospel and the joy it brings to everyone, EVERYWHERE, The Book of Mormon, Being a missionary (thanks again to everyone's support... I couldn't be here without you all) mail, the klong, making monks smile, Thailand, Thai Language, letters e-mails, Companions, Mission Presidents, etc, etc... I really could just go on forever...But then that's just taking up too much time.

Today has already been a fabulous day... We woke up and went to Lopburi to run thought the HUGE fields of sunflowers, then we looked at a dam, then we played with MONKEYS. (Yes please!)...the tiny little ones face's look like old men. Don't you worry....good pictures are coming soon.

Well shoot...I'm already out of time again... I love you all!!! Very-Very much!! I can't wait to talk to you soon... I can NOT believe it's already December 2, 2552... WOW... (and yes, we may have purchased advent calenders....sweet)

Random box: Brenda! I love you. and love those simple messages.... Your dog is TOO cute...Justin.

RBJ-sounds like everyone's doing well there. Sorry to hear about Cheryl shoulder...Get well soon. Way to go Marie...Say NO to those cards. haha. But who will make them so professional and amazing as you? Oh RBJ....I miss you all. Merry Christmas! Have fun with that gift exchange!

Laura- I love you! I did get your letters and still laugh about it every day. I LOVE YOU. Thank you... You're too cute.

Everyone else... I wish I had time to write to you all... But alas.. I do not. Just write everything you want to talk about and in 11 months, I'll talk about it all with you.

The church and this gospel is unbelievably true. I invite you all to rediscover (or discover) the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I love you life.

.....
Farewell to Manzanar.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well,



So, lets see.... This week was amazing... as per u-sh on the mission. This past Monday we had a Zone comference, but it was a special one becasue we had a visition Asia Area Presidency with us. Elder Pratt and his wife came and talked to use as part of their Mission Tour. Man, talk about the Spirit and fire of missionary work! I sat right in front of him, and everytime he looked at your it was like he wsa reading my soul. He had those "eyes". It just made me want to work even harder. I LOVE being a missionary. And I love your investigators... Espeically this one girl named "Gib" I've always known her as "Gift" but she told me it was "gib". Anyway... she is the coolest person EVER I know the Lord DEFINITELY prepared her for the gospel. I just got to the be one of the lucky ones to get to know her. I could go on and on about her, but basically she's getting baptised in 2 weeks. AMEN! We are constantly teaching and talking to people and trying to find new people to teach. (so if you know anyone it Thailand... ;) )



Today we'er going to make pancakes and pumpking pie. Yay! for Thanksgiving. We're going to eat at a member in the tinternational ward house and have a real deal dinner. YAY! Well, Sorry it's short today. But I have 3 min left. I LOVE YOU ALL. Thanks for all the letters and love and prayers and such.



The Church is true! Read the Book of Mormon. It'll change your life.



Love,



Sister O'Neil

Thanksgiving!

Well, here in the year 2552, the earth's axis has changed just .0008 degrees and therefore made Thanksgiving come 1 week and 1 day early... and in Thailand..? AKA... today we eat at this really great buffet at the Tallest building in Thailand. Paiyoke Tower is a wonderful place and I'm sure you'll love it when you come. We feasted on Pasta and pizza, and sushi, and ice cream and such. YUM. IT was definitely our Thanksgiving. Plus, I love cities and it was great to see just how huge Bangkok actually is! It kinda felt like I was in New York again from that high up. I love my life.

Well, dear family. This week was yet another incredible week. SOOOO many things happened that I couldn't possibly have enough time to write about, so I will share a few things.

We got a new companion. We are still in a Three-o...(I accidentally say that all the time, because I try to say Trio...but I have a pwawblem with my "arrs") and lisp? ... ANYWAYS... Sister Hulme is now in the country and Sister Brandfield came to Bangkok. (To see my new comp, check out the updated pixs) I love her. It's still so fun and easy to be in a trio. YAY.

A lot of crazy other things happened that made me just realize, again, how wonderful the Gospel is. To see how it really changed lives in just incredible. Plus....the power of prayer and Faith.. WOW. Prayer, combined with faith to follow the promptings of the spirit = success in EVERYTHING.

Tomorrow starts a mission tour with Elder Pratt. (Shout out to General Authorities) We're all excited to meet with him next week.

I hope you are all doing great. Thanks for the e-mails. I enjoyed the variety of sources today (Brenda, Leah, Tre, Meme, Lisa, Mom.... Thank you all! Good to hear from you! Bean...cute puppy!)

Well, I have to go get on a klong monster now.

Take care!

Love,

Sister O'Neil!

Holla!

Ok. Hello Family.

Today's e-mail will probably be shorter than normal, but only because I'm uploading pictures for you to take a gander at. (yay!) I was hoping that the videos would work, too. However, I don't think they will. Sorry. (they're pretty cool, too. So, just wait a year).

This week was good. SOOOOO HOT... Seriously. HOT. I know last week I said it was cold.. because it was for a day. But it's been so hot lately. Good thing "winter" is coming. Or maybe that day of cold was it...I don't know.

We found out yesterday that our dear comp, Sister Hulme will be moving. SAD! I lover her. It's definitely been a really fun moves with her. That just means we get to wait and see who our new companion will be. I love moves meeting. Yes.

So--the pictures are up. Have fun with that...

Thank you everyone for the fun emails.

Laura --- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you. Thanks for the pics and stuff, I LOVE THEM. Ellie is sooo cute. I especially love that pic of Logan and her hunting....ridiculous.

Katie...Happy BIRTHDAY.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU also. e-mail me your new address some time.

K... I better go. Love you all!!!

Weekly Journal update # 277

Well

Hello there.

It's November 4, 2009. 11:01 am in Thailand. We had to go to the office today to renew Sister Young's visa, so I'm currently emailing in Pakkret, sandwiched in the middle of 6 other sister missionaries. After this we're going to go eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Yay!

Wow- What an interesting week. And since I already used a chunk of my time trying to upload more pictures (failed...maybe next week) I'll just give you the "key indicator" version of everything that happened this week.

# of cows hit by Taxi's we were in: 1
# of broken rear view mirrors: 1
# of cows that just looked like they had a hangover: 1
# of dead frogs (not just this week...it's an on going count): 46 .. (if you're a frog in Thailand...don't try to cross the street at night...you will die)
# of cows slapped by me: 1 .. There are just here...in the way...all the time. I love it.
Delicious Chinese style meat ball/dumpling style treats that later betrayed missionaries: 4 (2/person)

Cold days in Thailand: 1 1/2. Yesterday was cold and rainy.. no joke. (Ok...so it was probably only 74 degrees, BUT it was cloudy and rainy...that mixed with riding a bike=cold)

# of saws brought to church: 1
# of trees sacrificed to celebrate Loygrathong: 153092....ok...I don't really know..but it was ridiculous. Especially because at church we looked outside and this woman was just cutting down a banana tree like it was no problem...and I guess it wasn't because nobody thought anything of it. (and hence the last key indicator)

[Loygrathong is a really cool Thai holiday. You make these floating candle/flower things and then send them into the river. It's kinda like valentines day...Sort of...only because you can "loy" with your significant other. But Basically you send these floating things into the river to thank the water for everything and ask forgiveness. We went to a Wat to see what it was like. It's way cool. I'll have to explain it more later when I'm off the mish....There's never enough time to write everything.]

Thanks for all the emails and letters and such. (Con, Jr....I am DEFINITELY having fun on my mission.) I love you all and appreciate your constant love and support.

Now for some shout outs:

Jesse, I doubt you read this...but Happy Birthday. Ammon- Same to you! There are lots of b-day's this month....Laura, Katie, Mom, etc. So just in case the future happens and I forget... Happy Birthday to you all!!

Until next week!!

Fare well to Manzanar!

The church is true!!

I love my life!

Love,
Sister O'Neil

The end of October...

Hello people!

Well.... it's the end of October? Ready for Halloween? I hope everyone has a grand time. We are planning on eating at a farang restaurant. (yummy Italian… Yes please)

First of all.. I really enjoyed laughing at all the email today. Especially Justin’s… I wish I could serve in the same area as him… Or write as entertaining letters as he does.. Dressing up like the Book of Mormon sounds pretty sweet.. However, I don’t think that would fly here in Thailand….people would be soooo confused. Plus.- It’s too unbelievably hot for that. Sounds like everyone else is having a grand life. Sorry I don’t get to do more commentary on that, but I just know there are more things to talk about from my end.

One thing I realize I haven’t talked much about is the work here.. What the heck do I talk about each week if I never talk about the work? The work is my life…. So, A few things you should know.

This past week one of our Investigators, Gan, was baptized. She is a hilarious 13 year old girl and she’s been investigating for a couple years now, she just had family opposition. But- Sunday was a great day. Right after church, we had the baptismal service (which is kinda weird to me, and I know in the future I can talk more about baptisms and church and culture and such, but for right now… I never have enough time) So yes… It was kinda funny because they baptized her, and she went to go change, but then they were like “come back! We didn’t say it right”… So… we dunked her again ( In what we call the “pot” because it is literally a big metal tank in the back of the church”) but she didn’t go all the way under. So 3rd time’s the charm! It was a great day and I was glad we had 7 other investigators there to watch it too. Last night I also found out that one of my investigators from Bangnaa was baptized on Sunday, too. SWEET! Our investigator change from week to week… It really just depends. But there is one girl who I just thing is amazing. Her name is Gift. She actually lived in Utah about 10 years ago and investigated the church, but then moved back here and didn’t know the church was in Thailand. So after 10 years of no contact, she saw our Free English class sign and has been investigating ever since. I love meeting new people everyday, too. Yesterday I met a great, cute family in the park and we’ll start teaching them this week. We teach people everyday. I never have enough time to write about them all, but they are great and I’m sure in the future I’ll tell you all about them. (it’s easier to tell you in person, than type… But I’ll type as much as I can, too,)

In other news… My comp, sister Young, fell into the klong yesterday. It was only a matter of time before that happened to one of us. I’ll take pictures and post them soon so you can see the klong for yourself. Oh, and I’m pretty sure that yesterday when I was talking to these people in the park, they were pretty confused at one point because I was telling them how Christianity had many different “watches” instead of “sects”. Cool… I love Thai.

Dear Bences, thanks for the greetings. Laura.. loved your story about little ellie, too. Kellie... loved your comments... And you. Everyone else.. I love you, too. Seriously.

Favorite scripture of the week : 2 Nephi 9:51

Number of dead frogs: 28 (a whopping 9 all from yesterday...the floods finnally cleared.:)

Well, Until next week!

Farewell to Manzanar,

Sister O'Neil

Pictures!!

You can click on the title or off to the side.
Both will take you to some pictures.
Check it every 6 weeks... she will upload more.

Enjoy!

1/3 of my life...

Well, it’s officially been 6 months since I started this ridiculous adventure as a missionary. 6 months? Already?! Dang, Gina…. I guess my mission will be a little less than 18 months, because I already have less than a year in this grand country.

Anyway..First of all.. Thank you, my valiant mother, for going to all that trouble to get those addresses for me and answer my questions. I appreciate it (and I’m sure Laura and Tara will too). (Yes, Laura- I know you wrote me…calm down. I loved it.) And thanks also for taking care of the blog everyone, and now Megan.-The new captain-Good luck.

Umm… well, once again, I’m not really sure what to write this week. The work continues to be so fun and also WORK. It’s Thailand’s “summer vacation” right now, so everyone is out of town playing. This past Sunday was stake conference. It was a broadcast from SLC to the 12 stakes in Asia. It was soo good too! Especially because we got to watch it in English! Sister Dalton, Elder Oaks, Brother Waston (from the Asia Area presidency) and President Ucthdorf spoke to us. I seriously LOVE President Ucthdorf.. What a mighty man.

I continue to love my life riding along the Klong paths. We rode around ALL day yesterday… probably spent 4 hours riding. And it was HOT too. (Today, however is wonderful… We just were lucky enough to ride in between two big downpours). I’ll take some pictures today and maybe some video and send it next week so you can all bask in the glory of the klong as well (that is, if I don’t fall IN while trying to take video and bike at the same time….awesome)

Wow.. well yeah…. I guess that’s it for today. Thanks for being wonderful. I LOVE you all very much.

Love,

Sister โอนีล

And the floods came up!

Hey there,

Well, another week has passed and what a rainy one it was! Our street FLOODS big time. In fact, we just rode our bikes in the knee high water to get here to email. It's quite entertaining really. I believe we got drenched about 4 times while riding bikes around. This week was all about water. Just this morning we took a klong monster to China Town. (a Klong is a river, filled with nasty water that smells, but the ride is so fun!) It's an interesting way to commute to work. I think the weirdest part was that it felt so normal. I could definitely live here. Then we've been having a great time riding the Klong paths. It just makes me so happy to be riding my bike around Thailand on a klong path (in a skirt), passing Buddhist temples and Islam temples, hearing the prayer calls and monk prayers and street vendor horns and THAI speakers and enjoying the dramatically beautiful full and fluffy clouds. All of that just in the 10 min ride to an investigators house where we ending up setting a baptismal date withe her. oh man, I love my life.

This past weekend we got to watch conference. All in Thai. Our English copies didn't work. But it was definitely an interesting experience. I love how the spirit transcends language. However, I AM really exciting to be able to read Elder Hollands talk in the Ensign so I can REALLY tell what he was so passionate about.

I don't have a whole lot of time to write today, mainly because I spent a lot of time reading all the various emails and looking at the cute pictures of the kiddlets. (thank you! I love communication) They are all so cute. I can't wait to see all the new things in a year ( yes, only 1 year left.. what the?) We had been teaching all about prophets the week leading up to conference, inviting everyone to come hear a living prophet speak to us. It's pretty incredible that we have a prophets today. Just saying. Thanks for the forward of Justin's letter. He looks like he's doing just fabulously! Please tell him I say hello. Oh, actually... can I get his address from someone? I should write him sometime. His picture of Mexico looks just like Thailand. The first day here in Thai town I remember looking around and asking "are you sure this isn't Mexico?" it doesn't help that Thai people often look Hispanic to me.... hola?

Can someone PLEASE give me Tara/Laura address?... I know it's really their job to write ME and give me their address first, but they're probably not writing because I haven't written yet..but they forget I can't write unless I have some place to send it. I figure if I put this questions out to the masses, I may get an answer.. Larvie, Tarlena... what the heck.... just email at least. I love and miss you both and think about you often... I just don't write because i can't. I've got letter's ready to go... so it's now Up to YOU.

Just in case anyone thinks I'm over here in Thailand breaking rules by going on to Facebook. Don't be alarmed... It's not me. I don't even think I remember my password... But apparently Jenny does...? Sooo ...if you get a comment or something-- it's not from me. OH facebook.....
On a side note..Internet is ruining the future of children here in Thailand. They are addicted to games. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time away from all electronics and Am glad i get to do it for another year before I have to go back to really life...

I've started to keep my own "key indicators" Number of dead squished frogs I've seen: 7 since moving to this area. Number of live ones in our house: 1..

Ok.. 2 mins.. That's all I got for today. I must go.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE you all. Seriously.

Thank you.

The Church is True

Love,

Sister O'Neil

Tall Bridge

Dearest Family..

Well, here I am in สะพานสูง. (Tall Bridge) It's just a little north east of where I was in Bangnaa. My new companion is great. Let me tell her about her: Her name is Sister Hulme and she is original from Texas. She is so fun and very talented (actually her entire family is- we listen to them play amazing piano (dad) , bassoon (brother-in-law) and her mom and sister just happen to be amazing opera singers too. So needless to say, amazingly talented and gifted family. I was looking at her pictures and i discovered that I actually know 2 of her brothers. They happened to be my first home teachers at BYU my first summer there. What the random? I love Mormon land. Who knew that 6 years later I'd be on a mission with their sister.

And my other Comp (yes, that's right Folks- I'm in a threesome!!) just happens to be Sister Young. I always knew we'd be companions, I just didn't know it'd be so soon. If you remember, she was one of the three sisters who came into the MTC just 1 transfer behind me. It was strange that the day before Moves meeting everyone was telling me that I'd be in a threesome. I even felt it too, I just didn't know I'd be so lucky to be in a threesome with these two sisters. I really do like it so far. I think I've trash talked threesomes before (sorry) , but honestly, I love it so far. So yay! Sister Young is fabulous. I love her still. and even more. I think this is a really good combo...or team as we call it.

I was definitely surprised to move though. I didn't really get to say goodbye to anyone, but I have a feeling I'll see them all again some day. I still have a year left in Thailand. I'm bound to run into them at a conference or something, right?

Being in a new area is kinda strange, and nice. It's not the HUGE shock of being in Thailand, and I CAN actually understand and talk with people. (blessings) Yes, I love my life. This ward is sooo nice too. (ok, every ward is, but in their own different ways) We have people calling all the time to tell us they have time to help us teach. They cut our grass in our front yard (more like jungle...pretty such there was a huge nasty lizard in it..yes please...maybe an Elephant?) and THEN they make us all kinds of food all the time. This area reminds me a lot of Pasadena... if it were in Florida. It's weird how the world can feel so familiar and so foreign at the same time. We ride our bikes even more in the area (and i really do love it) and it feels a little hotter. My house is way nicer too. Everyone says it's the nicest home for sisters in Bangkok. It feels American.. มัง. We've met some amazing people.. Some that are really the elected and amaze me with their testimonies. It's so fun to just walk up to people and start talking to them too.. I love my life.
One thing that I did notice was how loud sacrament meeting can be. New pet peeve... if you don't have children... try to keep it down a bit. Oh, and don't ever say you're bored of the temple.... If you hear yourself saying that... check your spiritual level out and then adjust if needed.

I feel like my email is really boring today. Sorry.. I think It's just because I'm hungry or something... it's lunch time and I just realized I didn't even eat breakfast. Thanks for the conference update. I'll be sure to listen for those things when we watch it this weekend.
Just a note. Please email my LDS mail account. I don't really ever get on Gmail unless I'm downloading pictures (which I won't do every week) so thanks for the emails... just send to LDSMail so i see them before 6 weeks has passed. :)

Just so everyone knows... i don't really have a problem with my clothes falling off all the time.. It's happened twice, ok?! Once in America, and once in Thailand.. So stop thinking i'm giving everyone and their mom a show. I'm a missionary, ok? haha.

Thank you for all your love and support and prayers. I really do feel it WAY over here in Thai Land. I love you all. oodles and oodles. (noodles?) yuum..

K- Until next week" you speak Thailand good"

Sister O'Neil

สู๊ดย๊อดดด!!!

Start date 09.30.2552:

This week has been filled with craziness and surprises. I don't even know where to begin. So... Last Thursday, we had to go to the office to pick up a new sister. She is a brand new Thai Missionary (and they come in a week before Farangs) so we were a Threesome for a week. Awesome. We had a lot of GREAT progress with our investigators, good work with the ward, and we even had a bapitism planned for this next Sunday. We've been having fun WALKING, ALL DAY in the RAIN... it's seriously rainy season now. The streets flood (all of them) and we I felt like I was at the beach becasue of the waves that would come every time a bus passed us on the streets. I've come to the decision that riding bikes is superior to walking. I'm always so much more exhausted when we walk opposed to riding. If we go a day without riding that Babylon song "I want to ride my Bicycle" comes to mind... (oh, Queen...) So then, becasue Moves meeting is Tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday (and Today) are full of wonderment and anticpation. Monday-- we try to guess what's going to happen. On Tuesday, we all change our guesses after we get the phone calls that tell us who's going to move or not. This Tuesady was especially fun.. I had to go down to the office and Downtown to renew my Visa ( every 3 months is country) So we were with a bunch of other missionaries as everyone got "the calls". So we had finished our Visa business and then gone to our local missionary favored resturant (Que Pasa--ohh I love Mexican food!) when we finally got our call. Well.. surprise surprise... We already knew that sister Wichittra would be moving becasue she's already been in Bangnaa for 4 moves (6 months-time to move) and since I just got here, and typically they only replace one missionary so the other one can lead and continue the work with the invesitagotors--(all of you have been on missions understand this) we assumed I would be staying. Which was perfect becasue i know the area, our investigators, our new Landlord, etc... But WATCH OUT...we're both moving!?! what the... ok. So... then we went into hyper drive becasue we have sooo much to do before Thursday mornning moves meeting. We spent ALL day yesterday moving all of the stuff from our old house to the new one. Thanks to the office Elders and our wonderful Elders in our district, we were able to successfully move everything. The only hard things was getting ride of all the junk left over from the 9 years of missionaries who had passed through that house. Missionary houses are interesting.. And it was hard to get ride of stuff becasue my Thai sisters wanted to keep everything, while our American mentality is to get ride of everything we don't need. But really... "we don't need that map of Camobia from 1960, Sister.... It's torn in 3 pieces anyway." Needless to say, I spent a lot of time going through and throwing stuff awayl.. Now of next project is to set up the new house and prepare everyrthing as well as possible for the poor new sisters who have to boldly (and blindly) move into this area. We just hope our new landlord brings all the promised items for the house today... Oh man...

And I haven't even started to pack for real yet. Awesome.

I really do love everything about missions. Everything. Thailand is AWESOME. The Gospel, AWESOME.

In other news, while I was in the office the other day I got to talking with one of the Elders who was in the MTC with me (one transfer behind me.) Elder McConkie.. and we discovered that we both know the Huffs. He was like "you live in Pasadena? My aunt lives there" Turns out it was the Huffs. So we had a fun time chatting about that. So if you see them, please tell them we say hello from Thailand. Their nephew is an amazing missionary. He's going to do FANTASTIC things here.
Umm, I'm running out of time, and I have a lot to do. But. It was fun to hear from a few of you today. Katie K Shaw lady... I love you. You know this. I can't belive it's been a year since you went to Utah. (and No, we didn't get to see Women's conference either mom, And conference will come a week after it is in the states, so EnjoY!!!) Sister Clive! Thanks for the email. That was a fun surprise. Good to hear about all your adventures. I hope All your kids are having fun and success. Did the fires stop? It's hot here too, but the sheet of water falling from the sky prevents forrest fires (much like smokey the bear... or you?...umm yeah... ) anways. Family- I love you all soooooo much and I hope you remember that. Tara- thanks for the email.. However, you forget to mention your new address.. So, just so you Bence girls know.. it's NOT my fault you're not getting letters from me. I do NOT have a address to send things to you. I love you. Kellie!!! You are sensational.. and I love you...7 times over.. I'm currently in the process of writing back.. but it might take a while (for everyone actually) with this whole moving craziness business.) (she might should)

Please don't judge my English skills.... I know they're are decressing.

Well, I'll write to you next week from a new city and with a new comp. ( i think i'll be a threesome.. why? i don't know-- but that's how i feel.)

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE...

Sister O'Neil

Update!

Hello from the other side of the world.

Well, i don't think my letter will be very long today, I'm working on uploading all my photos to Picasa so you can all see them and so I don't have to print out every picture and send it to you. President said I could, so I think once a moves ( every 6 weeks) I'll upload. Then u can all look at them and enjoy my life too. It should make it really easy to add photos to the blog too, if you so wish to do so. (Note from Megan... I will work on posting pictures)

This week was pretty good... filled with hilarious mis-adventures. My favorite was the pouring RAIN yesterday. Probably the hardest I've ever seen in my life here in Thailand (or in life in general....not sure... but pretty close). It stopped for a while and then just as we were about to leave to go to a visit a recent convert it started to sprinkle again. Well, we didn't get more 5 feet from our house before it started to rain harder. Then with each progressing step it got harder and harder and harder! Thunder, lightening, everything. I was just laughing. We only had one umbrella and by the time a found a taxi to hop into we were SOAKED.. Pretty much just went swimming.. (umm.. is that against the rules? The street wasn't a swimming pool when we left our house, President, I promise!)
haha. Anyhoo. Today we're off to President's house to meet with the sisters and Sister smith! Yay! It should be fun.

Ok- I love you all.. I hope you enjoy the pictures and such. Take care. Thanks for all the love and support and prayers! The church is TRUE!!!

Love, Sister O'Meil (yes.. i spelled my name wrong in Thai this week... awesome. :) )

คำ

Family,

Well, It's the middle of September. Transfers is in 2 weeks, (no! my เเม่ 's going to leave me!) and I keep thinking how I'm running out of time. I'll be home in a year. What the? Only 13 more months. That's not enough time. Did I every tell you how I've had this reoccurring dream ever since the MTC that I get home and for some reason I can't remember my mission or how to speak Thai? I know I went on one, but i can't remember it or anything more than "Sawaddii Kha" in Thai. Horrible, Horrible dream. haha. Anyhoo.

This week has been fun and busy. It's interesting to see how each day and week are so drastically different. Things in Thailand are still intense. The smells, foods (last night I ate about 3 little squids...) people, weather... (did I forget to mention it was rainy season?--ok..well actually- we didn't have a whole of of storms this past week-- but before- -- WHOA DANG storms here are incredible), the way I'm noticing how the Lord works. Everyday, one of our goals is to get referrals. Referrals from members, non-members, other missionaries-- anyone really. Every once in a while we get referrals straight from God. Just yesterday we got a phone call from a Taxi driver that we invited one day about a month ago and he says "hey- I have a passenger who wants to go to a church...where's your church again?" He ends up just handing the phone to his passenger and this woman just tells us she wants to learn about Jesus Christ and that she is wiling to meet us at the church. So 3 hours later, we met her at the church, gave her the Book of Momron and now she's a new investigator. OK... missionary work is so fun. All I have to do everyday is go out and TALK to people. I love it. I love talking (you all know this already). Plus, it's really incredible to see how this truth changes and affects people's lives. It's amazing to see the changes in their countenance when they find out for themselves that God is real and He loves them, individually. Awesome.

We've been teaching and studying a lot about service this week. Read Mosiah 2:17 and then go do something good for someone else. It will change your life, one smile at a time.

Umm... well... On another note. I found a huge cockroach in our area book last night. haha. Yay for moving in 2 weeks! ok- actually our house isn't that bad. But we are excited to move to a new place.

OH hey- how could i forget! Thanks for the package(s)! I got the DVD last week and finally got to watch it yesterday. So fun! I felt like i was there and Like i had 47 nieces and nephews because of all the pictures of them. They are so cute. Little Cracker and Izzie !! It's fun to see how they've changed already. So thank you for that. I think I watched it like 4 times. And you know what i decided.. that's what you should send.. Don't send food and stuff because honestly-- I could buy a lot more of that stuff just with the money you'd spend on postage... but dvd's are great!! You could video yourselves and your lives and make Cody make another movie for me. :) AND yesterday I got the other little box with the gum, and bracelet and tape. I haven't listened to it yet, though. I have to find a tape player first. :) BUT i'm excited! So thank you. I love you all. It made me happy. especially to see the massive amounts of ice cream you consumed. O'Neils for sure. (plus my companion is obsessed with that "ice cream and creamy cake" song...haha)

Well, I think that's about all for now. I love you all. I don't think I'll ever still be able to say enjoy "thank yous" and "I love you"s ever.

Love, Sister โอนีล

Extras:

Happy birthday to Nicole (on the 8th..) I don't remember if I said it in my email last week or not.

Also... Happy birthday to TARLENA, and Roach, and Leah ( if I remember correctly... which I think I do?)

I love all you fine ladies.

2 months!

Well, I've been in ประเทสไทย for ๒ months now. To say it out loud makes is sounds like a while, but I really feel like I JUST got here, hmm, maybe 5 seconds ago. (oh, but wow-- to think that I was on a train only a week ago??? That seems like 5 years ago...) Hokay, anyway..

The work is progressing here in บางนา. We're seeing fine progress with some of our investigators, finding new ones and teaching. As always. However, we are always on the hunt for new people to teach and ways to make our Vision for Thailand become reality. We didn't have any new exciting service reports for this week because we had to go to the office for interviews instead. It ended up being a full day event because President Smith just got off a plan and came straight to the office. Then there were a lot of missionaries who talked for a long time with him. President Smith is so great. I really respect and love him. And his Wife. She's great. Today we just came back from Bowling in Downtown for a Zone เที่ยว. It was at this WAY "hi-so" mall in the heart of Bangkok. It was a lot of fun to bowl with everyone. yay.

They just announced the list of words that will change in the new year for the church in Thailand, including the Name of the church. It's kinda exciting. They're going to release a triple combination, too. We're all excited about that. They also made a goal for everyone to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. So, I've made that a goal for myself also. Read the Book of Mormon, In THAI, before the end of the year. It's hard, especially seeing I can only read about 15 verses in an hour right now... BUT... already I can see improvement. Reading the Book of Mormon does miracles. Honestly. Everyone should read it. Every day. It will change your life. If you read it already..do it again. and again. It will still change your life.

I hope the rest of the clan is doing well. I tip my hat to all of you. and also say "farang!" Oh yeah. Lisa, Thanks again for the picture of the family you sent to me while I was in the MTC. I use it almost everyday and it's a great door opener for me to use with people. Whenever I don't understand what they're saying, I just change the subject and say "oh hey-- look at all these white people". It's quite fun. So thanks. You are all famous in Thailand.

I got an email from Kathy. It's nice to hear how my second family is doing. :) Iowa, Leah? Wow. I didn't expect that one. David, I'm not that surprised. Laura, Tara.... Unacceptable. Daniel's going to the singles ward! wow! Way to go DAN. If you don't mind, I would really appreciate if I could get all of the new addresses.. I can't send letters because I don't know where to send them. :) Kathy: there are often times when I'm teaching English where I like "oh man...what would Kathy do.? I should have come to your class and picked up some tips. It's so fun!

To all of you other Blog stalkers: Thanks for taking time to read this. I'm glad I could help you distract yourself from work or homework and such.. or just fill your empty time with something to read. Trust me, I know how that is. You are all my dear friends and I miss you. I hope all of your life happenings (i.e., marriages, graduations, babies, movies, cooking(s), movings, schooling, or nothings/everythings) are all exciting and progressing. Remember what they taught you in Primary ( go to church, read your scriptures, pray, etc.) and you'll be just fine. Now: some of you won't understand or care about the next few things I"m going to write, but you'll know what I'm talking about, if you know what I'm talking about. Ready Go... "I don't know Hilary, he wants a Fanta" She might should. Coot on Goodge street. So did she! Hey, remember that time... Grizz. Boots with the fur. You would. "Our house" the boat. BIKE CLUB (it's even better in Thailand).. CoCo in the Morning cause it just feels so right. OK ladies, we're going for a walk. and then....temptation came. Lot's Wife. BLT. "iiieeeeee"

OK- that's all I got for right now. Email me sometime. It's free to all. You'll just have to wait for a couple weeks for a response. I LOVE you all จริง จริง.

Wait--this is real?!

Hello from the land of smiles!

Well, today has been quite the adventure, indeed. We got up, took a cab to the train station, then hopped on a train with 2 other companionship's to go to อยุธยา (Ayuthya)! This town was incredible, but I'm not there yet...we're still on the train. So as you know, I love trains, so I was definitely loving my life. Yes, it was hot, and crowded and the our seats were right across from the bathroom (literally a hole in the train) but i loved it all. It was great to get away from the city and see whole new side of Thailand. The farther we got away, the more it look what I had first imagined Thailand to look it. (and, btw, the train is the way to travel, SOOO cheap!) So we show up to the train station, all 7 of us sisters and because 5 of us were white of course everyone's freaking out and wanting to take us in their took took to see everything. Then people were crazy for a sec, so we decided not to use them because they were freaking out because one of the sisters (a khonThai) didn't speak Thai "chat" clearly, so they didn't believe she was Thai.. Why? We still have no idea what the problem was..haha. So after trying to calm people down ("WE all speak Thai" and "this is the land of smiles, right? ) we all crammed in this little took took, going from Wat to Wat enjoying the beauty of Thailand. I would try to describe them, but i cant.. so I'll just send pics....it's more beautiful and descriptive that way. But if you can't wait, just go watch Mortal Combat (2 I'm actually not sure, I don't remember seeing the movie, but that's what everyone said...?) and you'll know where I went. K. I love Thailand. So then we hopped back on the train and came home, (more time to love my life being on a train, with the window open in Thailand with it raining on us (natural cooling agent)). Sometimes i just have to remind myself that this is all real. My life still seems surreal...

Anyhoo, so that was just today. The rest of the week was great. Time is FLYING. I feel like I just pressed "send" on last week's email like 2 1/2 min ago. We had Zone Conference, Ward Conference and everyday full of teaching, preaching and finding. Ward conference was a big deal here, so I can just imagine what stake conference was like. I sang with our ward choir for conference, too. So fun! I was thinking about our stake and how I have a totally different perspective on wards/stakes, etc as a missionary. I know that the missionaries serving in our stakes and ward in the Arcadia mission REALLY care and love everyone and really do want to help it be a stronger, more "zion" like ward/stake. They work hard to help build up and strengthen everyone spiritual. So if anyone feels like their ward or stake is struggling, they should talk with their missionaries in their ward and ask how they can help. ( i know we LOVE it when a member can come teach with us. It's fun and easy and you feel really good after you do it). Missionary work is just serving. So if you want any ideas on how to help your ward-Talk to the missionaries. Or at least feed them.. haha. :) Mom and Dad, Thanks for always being such a great example on how to fulfill and magnify callings. I've been blessed with amazingness my whole life because of people like you.

This whole email thing is kinda weird too. I'll just email whoever I can remember every time. Direct family is totally cool to email to, but the rest you slums will have to wait... haha... OK... i really don't know why "slums" was the first thing I thought of. None of you are "slums." ........in fact...what does that even mean? I love you all. จริง.

So, on a totally unrelated note.. people are always asking me what things I miss or want if they send a package or something. Honestly, I'm good. And because it's so expensive to send stuff, I figure, just don't. BUT.... just in case someone really wanted to know... I thought of something that would be nice (because i was shopping and thought of it): Instant Oatmeal. (cinnamon :) ) Nature valley granola bars, or anything of that sort. Those are just guiltily pleasures that you can find here in some "high-so" places, but they're not worth spending our money on. If i ever move out of the city, I know those kind of things would be wondrous and glorious to receive.. So just put that in your back pocket. Fruit snacks, fruit roll ups, granola bars, instant oatmeal, etc, etc. Things like that. Basically the things that Kellie gave me in that delicious surprise attack visit goodie bag at the airport. yummm.. :) Now don't go out and send anything just because i said this. I don't really need anything. Just wanted to let you know.

Well, I gtg now. Time is always running out.

Jenny- Good luck with school this year! have fun! Work hard. Study hard! Make goals and plans and accomplish all of your wildest dreams. Chris and Nicole : "all of those things are my favorites too!" Vinton's "Booty" Riles and Jill " Dang Gina!" McCracklet's: Have fun in Cali! everyone else: "you are so cool."

Until next week!

Love,

Sister O'Neil

OH WAIT!!! How did I forget. So you know how we're doing "service" at the Hospital? Well in this week's episode: we watched a guy get screws in his arm. Aka.. SURGERY. Seriously...what the random.. Only in Thailand would they invite us into watch a guy get his arm fixed.... Oh Thailand...

LOVE!

Here I am.

Familia,

(yes, Spanish words DO still pop up in my Thai...)

Just in case you thought something happened because I didn't email yesterday, don't worry. We had to switch our P-days this week because yesterday we had Zone Conference. So here I am now.

Next week for p-day we're going to a place called Aayuttya... It was lots of cool things apparently. It'll be a fun little "T.O." with some other sisters. So Just in case we don't have enough time to email (which I'm sure we'll make time for it, but JUST in case..) don't worry. I'm fine...just on a train somewhere in Thailand. :) This moves our zone is concentrating on service. So for the past 2 weeks, and the next 5, we will be serving for 3 hours each week at a local hospital. OH man, it's so random. I think maybe I told you about it a little last week? Oh no, lies, we hadn't even gone yet. But anyways, yes. While I do love to serve, the two times we've gone, I felt more like they were serving us...The had us do things that easily could have been done by the people standing around (probable cause we were doing their job) and then they feed us too and everything. Plus it's kind funny to see how people react to white people in the hospital. I'm 98% sure they think we're doctors, esp the Elders. We go every Tuesday, which is Pregnant day at the hospital. Seriously...soo many pregnant woman. Sister Wichitrra and I served in the delivery area. No, we didn't help delivery any kids, but we did make cotton swap things (chop stick type sticks that we glued cotton too with elmer's glue). All the women in the room (around 40) had all had their babies in that last 2 days... It made me grateful for our hospitals and heath care.

We're excited about this moves. We have some great potential. Hopefully we'll get ride of this "curse" with the elders. All of their investigators end up being crazies. ( One man tells us he has no brain. Another is this communist Thai guy who dresses like an American Indian...actually he looked pretty awesome, i wish I got a picture with him) But just in the past couple days we're all meet some great people. This one girl (25 years old), Cat, just became an investigator. We meet her on Monday, and last night she came to English class and was all excited about the BOM, told me she read a couple chapters already and even shared one of her favorite scriptures with me. yay! The Lord really does prepare people. The language is getting better everyday too. Just last night I was able to lead the English class (and because it's the basic, we actually speak more Thai than English) by myself and not feel stressed. Things are just becoming FUN now. I mean, they were before, but in comparison to now, this is way better.

We signed a contract for our new house. YAY! That means the first day of next moves (Oct 1) we move. So since I'm pretty sure sister W will be moving on from Bangnaa, that means my new comp will spend her first day moving the whole house. yay! Welcome to Bangnaa.. haha. It's just in time too, our current house is just getting worse. Our air conditioning stopped working for a couple days, but I fixed it. My pencil and sister Wichittra's prayer fixed it, actually. haha. And then, the other day while cleaning dishes we were getting little shocks. Turns out the new pump wasn't put in correctly, had a leak and therefore since we were standing in the water (from the leak) and electricity was running through it, we were getting little shocks. We had them come fix it again, and we discovered the source of the smell (that was also a side affect from the faulty installation). There was so much electricity running through that a poor little frog came over into our back yard and was electrocuted. And died. ("shocking, isn't it.") But don't worry. I've never been in any real harm. Don't worry mom.

Sister Wichittra's Birthday was last Sunday. We celebrated by eating taco's that the elders made. Ok, they're so good at making food.. Does any one have any suggestions for quick, good food that we can make without an oven (aka in the microwave)? (we have a good 3 min, brownie recipe that we love to make sometimes).

Well, my time is up here. I love you all. Thank you again, and always for everything. Take care and enjoy your week!

Love,

Sister O'Neil

or Sister O'Meil... I got a letter from one of sister Wichittra's friend who is serving at Temple square and she calls me that. She wrote "P.S. When did you get your Family name"? It sounds interesting..." I'm not exactly sure what she means, but I'm writing her back " Actually it's "Oatmeal" and it's from my great great grandfather, Quaker. K. Love you. Farewell to Manzanar.

Yarrgh!!

Hello again my dearly beloved peps,

Well, another adventurous week done! Last week was filled with joy and randomness. Last week was Moves meeting, and since I wasn't moving Sister W and I got to go and enjoy the game show that was the life of everyone else. The rest of the group from the MTC came and it was soooooo good to see them, Especially the sisters. YAY. we're all togeher again...sort of. Moves meeting day is always long, but this one was fun becasue we all went to a resturant called "Que pasa". It's owned by this american (less active member man, apparently) and it was simply delicious. (I forgot how much I love fresh salsa.. mmmm...yes please!) Going there after Moves is a tradition for the missionaries and now I can see why. Then this past weekend was full of sleepovers, sickness (not me, whew) and traveling. We had 3 other sisters stay with us fo a night, and it was just like a regular old sleepover.. haha. The cobbing ( finishing) sisters needed a place to crash, so we spent the weekend playing host /companions/ travel partners. It was a great experience to learn different technics and phrases from the other sisters. Siser Wichittra's been dealing with some headaches/ throwing up... I think it might be heat exhaustion or something, but we're not sure.. So that gave me some extra study/ organizing time.

Last week after I emailed you, we went back to the church for English class and caught the tail end of the ward activity. It was pretty much my favorite thing to watch ever. They were doing areobics. Everyone out side, music blasting. This one guy "instructing" was just going crazy to his OWN beat (good thing he's a thai boxer and not a dancer.)The people who were not doing areobics (i.e, pregnant women, old man(yes, only one) old women (a few) and people who just showed up) were playing the correct part of peanut gallery. and it was hilarious. I'm pretty sure the whole experience is engrained in my head forever.. especiall Bother A who yelled "sudyaad" at the end... (meaning awesome). Oh it was a good time. This really is a great family ward.

I feel like every week we end up having a theme throughout all our lessons. This week has definitely been Family week. We're read the proclamation to the world with many of our investigators and I'm just excited to see what comes in the next few weeks. Family really is
important. Thank you, Mom and Fawther for being amazing people and strong in the gospel. Your example continual blessings the lives of all your kids, as well as everyone else. I also enjoyed studying about prayer in the scriptures, as well as in True to the Faith (which is awesome, everyone should take a gander at that some time).

Well, Mom- I hope you have a good time with Dad on your little working getaway. Dad= I love you. Jenny, I hope you had fun at camp! (ironic that you had to look for pirate hats, becasue that is also a question I asked this week, as we're doing a pirate themed English Showcase tonight- hence the title of "yarrgh"... just in case you thought i was upset or something... i'm not)). Everyone else- I love you, too! thank you for the letters (Tammie, kellie, etc) (Oh Kellie! I finally DID get those letters you gave to mini-me sister. Yay! thank you. )

Love, Sister O'Neil

Happy Mothers day 2552!

Hello there Family!

Well, it's Mother's day here in Thailand. So, Happy Mothers day mom. Sorry it's the "second"one in a row I won't be able to call you for. :)

This week was a good week! So random, but every day on a mission is. But first some orders of business: Kellie's email address is kellrocks@gmail.com. Thank you. that was a very good idea. I don't know why didn't think of it earlier. Do you forward it to the bences (laura/tara/leah) and Owens too? Tammie mentioned that she reads them on line, so that's cool. But thank you for doing that. Please tell Jake and Spencer Congrats! I'll be excited to meet their children when I get home. ;) Congrats to Jen for getting your license! You can finally be my driver. Come on over to Thai-town- we've got a couple thousand took tooks you can drive too. Finish your homework! :) I don't know why my clothes are falling off... I don't think i've lost any weight. The food is too good here for that nonsense. But yes, I'm always flushed...it's hot here and we ride our bikes everwhere and I love my life. Oh yeah mom...Ryan's girlfriend's name is Gina. It always takes me a min to figure out who you're talkng about... :) Please tell them I said "hello!!" I don't need anything really. I don't really need any money either. Things are cheap here in Thailand, and I'm a missionary, so we don't really use a lot of money. :) But thank you...you seriously are amazing! We didn't move, or haven't moved yet. Our house is just fine, it just has a lot of character (i.e. plumbing that likes to electrocute me a litte bit, every toilet leaks from the most random places, bugs..I currently have 23 bites (yes!) etc, etc). The sisters have apparently trying to move for a while (the church has lived there for 9 years now) so I get to be the lucky one to try and move us. It's kinda of a hassel, but kinda fun. Moves meeting is tomorrow and no one in our district is moving, which means I'll probably stay where I am for a least 3 more months (2 moves). I love Bangnaa, so that's exciting. This ward is great. Just today we spent all morning making food for the mothers day activity. IT was really fun, especially becasue it just gave me another opportunity to be so awkward. (yay! I love the awkward game!). I just want to tell these people "look. I promise I have a personality and am I'm not retarted at everything I do... It just can't do it in Thai yet." But everyday gets better. Random "firsts" for the week (besides making Thai good, and by good,i mean food..) Switch offs! that means I had a different company for 24 hours. However, that Thursday/Friday ended up being the day of misadventures. On our way to meet the other sisters we left our phone in the taxi. Awesome- add that too the list (Lose phone: check!) But it was quick, easy and fairly cheap to replace it. So then when my new companion (Sister Nielsen - also a junior comp who has been here for 6 months maybe?) got back to our area, we got a phone call from the other sisters who said that we had their keys to their house in the pther area. (awesome) So for a min we thought we had to go all the way back to give them the keys. but we didn't becasue then they called and said the landlord hand them too. So then about an hour later, they called from the elders phone and said "just kidding, they didn't work, and then our phone died. We're coming there." So another hour later we ended up having a slumber party! yay! Good thing we had an extra huge matress. So that acutally was kinda of fun. The whole switch off experience was good too. I had to step up a little bit and lead the area. Plus I learned that I need to work even harder. But you can only eat an elephant one piece at\ a time, right? Another first... I had to be the accomanpist for a musical number in church. they asked me right before they sang in sacrament meeting. Good thing it happened to be my favorite song. (they love If you could Hie to Kolob. It's not even in their hymnal). I still did a very bad job though.. you know the level of my musical ablilty. But i'm just glad i could help. And now I want to practice more so I can help again some other time and acutally play well.

Well, the work is going. Everyday. The start of a new moves is a fresh start, even if it is with the same companion and area and all. So I'm excited. New goals to reach (oh yes.. yay for finishing the BOM in one moves! Check!) and more work to do. It will be fun to see everyone tomorrow. This moves EVERYONE will be there. All the missionaries in Thailand, together in one place.. rare! And I'm excited to see my noong thai's again (they just came from the MTC).

I love you all. Thanks for everything. Always and forever. The church is true!

Love, Sister O'Neil.

Woo!!

Well, I'm hoping this week works just perfectly. It should becasue I'm acutally at completely different location. A Tesco Lotus, to be exact (yes, it's a grocery store- I think we have one in the states...but i'm not really sure).We went to the Zone's Tiaw (vacation/trip) at our neighboring zone's church building. We just played games and talked. I wrote some letters and such. (we were the only sisters there). Sorry about last week's emails and such. Lisa said that you were all able to read my letter together and It made me wish it was more. But I do what I can, right?

Lets, see.... This week was interesting. I still feel like everyday is so long (but short weeks) and each day is so different and difficult in it's own way, but so fun and easy at the same time. And while I feel like so much happens every day, I also feel like I don't have much to report on. So here are some things from this week. I think Sunday was one of my favorite days. We went to church- My first Fast Sunday in Thailand. And just like every ward, it was open mic night. We had a lot of other Farangs there (a cute family of 3 from the States, but who have been living in China for 2 years and came to Thailand to renew their visas. And an old missionary who cobed (ended) a year ago and came back to visit) So sister Wichittra was translating for the family and so I was actually able to understand all the little details of the testimonies. My favorite was probably from a Brother who is basically the Asian version of Adrian. He's even a teacher. However, in his "testimony" he was sharing about how he used to beat this one bad student who never did his homework with a metal rod until he realized it probably wasn't the Christlike thing to do. Yay for him trying to be more Christlike. I acutally really like him, I just thought it was funny that he was sharing that story. After church, we ate with the ward, and then had correlation meeting, which basically means I sit there and get a headache becasue After 8 hours of translating in my head, I'm mentally tired. It's getting better though! Then we decided to go and preach the good word to some people and hand out a couple copies of the Book of Mormon. We went to this one market place area, almost got killed by an elephant who suddenly appeared from around the corner, and then ended up on a dock on a random river that I had no idea was even there (Thailand is so cool). It was fun to notice the random blessings you get from doing what you're supposed to be. We were walking around this market, and smelling all this delcious food and thinking how hot it was and how much we wanted to buy food or a drink, (but it's sunday, and we're good missionaries, so we can't) and then periodically over the next couple hours, random people came up to us and handed us food. "here, these are for you"....uhhhh thanks! I think my favorite part of the day was talking to people on the dock enjoying the beauty of Thailand. Simple things are the best. We ended up getting 2 new investigators that day, too. Wahoo!

So one experience that really affected me this week was going to visit this one old lady. I think I wrote about her before, how she is half paralyzed and her son doesn't care about her at all and there is no one else to take care of her, but I'm not sure if that was in one of the letters that didn't make it to you or not. But anyways.. we went to go visit her again. Last time we were there, we cleaned her house and sang to her and such and we noticed that she hurt her foot and it was pretty gross. So this week when we went back, we talked to her neighbor who was outside hanging up laundry and the neighbor said this lady's foot was worse. So we went in, and sure enough it was. It was sooo sad. I probably have never felt so completely useless in my life. As missionaries we can only do so much, plus we have no car, so we couldn't take her to the hopsital. So we called the Bishop and did the best we could to get some help for her. But really.. just looking at this woman and the state that she lives in, and then NOT being able to help her, or even talk to her really just made me so sad. Then my companion felt so helpless too, she started crying.. which made ME want to cry... and by the end of it, we all were. We joked and said we were crying because of all the water we drank, but the lady said it was naamcay ( heart water). It was really an emotional moment. Im just so thankful for the gospel and that this old lady knows the gospel too and that's she's basically just enduring to the end. oh man.. God bless that little woman. So yes, mom, dad, and everyone who has ever done anything to help someone in need: Thank you, and please keep it up. You are literally angels of the Lord when you help your fellow man.

Hmm...what else. We're trying to move houses...which is just another hassel. There's another situation where I feel usless.. There is this annoying third party lady that we "have to use" which I know we don't, but I can't really help the situation go faster becasue I can't explain it in Thai. I know could totally make this not as difficult if I could speak more fluently. BUt at least I'm doing what I can (talking to the officer Elders and President about it- which is easier for me to do, than for my comp) So basically we make a good team.

2 random ridiculous things. The other day I walked back outside to leave when my skrit fell off. I really don't kno what the heck is wrong with me. at the Mtc, my slip fell off, and now my SKIRT feel off. I'm pretty sure at least 2 of the 8 construction workers nextdoor saw it, but I don't really know. I just laughed, pulled it back up, and went inside. (if you're wondering, it was the brown skirt we made. I guess i'll have to get it adjusted to prevent futher fallage.) Then just right now, (like 40 min ago) i was in the bathroom and the drawstring on my shorts broke...making me scared that next my shorts will fall off....at the mall. Awesome.. Seriously...I wish I weren't so ridiculous.

Well, I think I pretty get going now. Only a couple more hours to buy groceries and prepare for English class. Next week is moves! I'm pretty sure I'll stay in the same place. I'm excited for the 15 Missionaries from the MTC to come! yay!

Please tell the Bences and Owens and such hello for me. Thanks Tammie and Kathy for the letters/emails. It's fun to hear from people. Kell-dawg, thanks too! You continue your streak of amazing letter writer. Laura, and Tara and other people I havent' written too yet, calm down. I can't becasue i don't really have your addresses becasue I know you're moving soon. So email your new address or something. Thank you! Thanks for taking care of the random mail and such from the MTC.. I don't really know why my letter to Trevor came there, but ok.

I love you all! Keep up the good work at home. Enjoy church and the temple and random vacations and such. oh, girls camp toO! Have fun with that, Jen! Love love love from Thailand!

Love, Sister O'Neil

Hilary from Thailand!!

HELLO HELLO Everyone!!

Wow.

WOW.

wow.

I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll just go in order starting from the airports. First of all, SORRRRRRY!!! I really didn't get to talk to anyone for very long at all. I think Dad won with the most time- So congrats. ;) But just so you know-I love you all- SO MUCH- Thanks for all the emails and love and support. and I promise that at Christmas time we'll have more than 4 min each, then make someone else call a mysterious pay phone. :) Everything happens so fast now. Those few hour layovers were not boring at all especially the one in LA. That international terminal is horrible right now. Plus, we were like lost little children, even though LA is my home town, I still really had no idea what the heck was going on. The flights overall weren't bad at all. From SLC to LAX I stuck inbetween 2 of the Elders, one of them being Elder Murphy, so that was comfortable. Then from LAX to Taipei, we were all scattered about the plane, so I sat inbetween two randos. That plane was packed! And I pretty much sleep the whole way. I woke up when the cute, little, yet aggresive asian flight attendent pretty much put my seat in the upright position FOR me, then I think i started to realize what was going on when I noticed my tray was pulled out and she yelled at me "chicken or beef". I was just like.. "what the...? Chicken?" Dinner time. THen I feel asleep again until we were flying over Japan. We were in Taipei for maybe 2 hours and then on to another plane (jammed between the same two elders). It was fun sitting there listening to the announcements, looking around at each other, asking "oh no...was that THAI? I hope not...please tell me that was Mandrian or something." (it was mandrian, thank goodness... but I still had no idea what the Thai annoucement was saying.) THEN we got to THAILAND! WOOO.. Beautiful airport. We walked outside and I'm pretty sure I have not stopped sweating. ever. It took us a while to find President Smith, but we did and loaded up and went to their house. They have a beautiful house and we stayed there for a night. The next day was "moves" meetings. No one seems to know it's called "moves" and not transfers, but whatever. Sister Knudson describes moves kinda like a game show. She was right. It was fun. "and the new district leaders are:...." They made all the greenies get up and say hello in THAI, and that was fun.

SO....the new companion and area is:............!

I am in Baangna (southeast Bangkok) and my cute and amazing trainer is Sister Wichittra. She is a KhonThai (native) Actually, she's Chinese, but born and raised in Thailand. She speaks amazing English too, so that's kinda nice for me. Score. (she studied at BYU-Hawaii so we say she is 70 % Thai, 20 % Chinese and 10 % American/ hawaiian)

So unlike my expeirence at the MTC where I really can't remember anything that happend the first week or so, I can remember pretty much every detail of my life here in Thailand so far. Kinda weird, but cool. I don't know how long it will last, but I'm glad I can remember some things, becasue I swear I forgot all my Thai (but that comes later...so hold your horses). So after Moves meeting was over, we walked with some of the elders to a place to go eat. First place I ate at in Thailand : Subway!? (yes, american sandwiches) What the...Elders? But it was ok, becasue I wasnt really hungry anyway. Then we all hoped in some taxis [everyone is a taxi driver here....seriously...either they drive cars, mopeds/motorcycle taxis (maxium number...who cares... can you fit? jump on! I've seen 5 people on one mo-ped. no joke.) or Tuk tuks, buses,
trucks, other unidentifable vehicals..whatever...If it moves, it's probably a taxi. Maybe I can make some money while I'm here too. ;) ] Anyways... so we hopped in taxis and went to the other side of town to get our bikes. All 8 of the greenies and their comps were in the store getting bikes and it was fun. I have a sweet new green bike, with a basket and all the goodies. Then we put my bike in the Taxi (yes, in the back seat with us) and went back to the mission office to pick up the rest of my stuff and finally go to our house.


My HOUSE.. haha, oh man. What a happy place. Litteraly becasue we live in a little nieghborhood called "happy land." The elders like a couple streets over and their house is nicer than ours (or so I'm told, I acutally havent' even seen it yet) so we're either going to make them trade with us, or we're move out. OUr house seriously makes me laugh. It's a 3 story little apartment, with no kicthen (although we do have a refrigerator- score), no kitchen sink (it's out in the "back yard" along with the washing machine, right next to the cinderblock wall that divides our back yard and the factory /.sweet shop behind us...who knows... I think Nike owns it....ok, not really... but it is some kind of factory). ONe thing I like about our house is the stairs and the secret rooms we really don't use on the 2, 2 1/2 ish (?) and 3rd floors? (i'm not really sure...some are locked...and the roof definitely is... dang, gina) We use padlocks to lock our doors and selves in everynight. OH, and thank goodness for the Airconditioner that mostly works in our bedroom. Without that... i would just..... well.... i guess I would just sleep anyway...
but still. Awesome. The second day I was there, we came home and all the weeds/trees out in the front were gone. Made it look much better. And then we cleaned it today, too...so my life is better. Although... i am still going to clean more. My companion said today " you're not like other farangs (white peps) You like to clean." That's too bad that other people aren't clean... but i am. So yes. way to clean.


Let's see... Language. The first couple of days, I had great experiences with speaking and learning (again) that that Lord will qualify you for the work, depsite your weaknesses. We've had some great lessons with some people. (we TEACH all the time, BTW. Every single Taxi ride, walking around the street, and also to all our investigators). My favorite one so far was with this family. Jerjan's family. I, for the life of me cannot understand AT ALL.... but all the kids (ages 14 -24) are nice. We have high hopes for them. I'm not going to lie though. It's so hard! And I always feel better and the end of the day, then I do at the begining. But my comp is fantastic and helps me everyday. My favortie times are when I absolutely can't understand ANYTHING...and then I just smile and say "Well....God loves you. Sawadii Kha." I need to try harder. OH, so I asked Sister Knudson if people in Thailand speak softly (becasue i've always felt like most Asains speak quietly) and she said No... GOHOK.. (LIES!!) They totally do. Most times I can't understand ANYTHING becasue I can't hear them. But it's ok... i think I won't think they talk quietly when I can understand everything. So yay! for that day.

We have a good ward. THey made me speak my first day. Typical. And it was fine. They are all so nice and they all make great food.

Speaking of food. It's good. The first couple of days I was not hungry at all, so I didn't really eat, but now i'm doing better/ (well... i wasn't sick...so i'm not doing "better " casue i wasn't "sick" but i think you know what i mean).

Man... hmm.. I don't know what else. IT's so cool over here. Crazy. Busy. Crazy Busy. and I love it. There are dying dogs everywhere (our favorite is called zombie) and everyday as we ride our bikes around i hear "farang! Farang! Uan! Farang!" which means "Hey look! White person! A fat
white person!" excellent. I love Thailand. I'm going to count tomorrow and see how many times i hear it. Thai people love white people. But we do stick out. I didn't realize it until I saw 2 other ones the other day (and no, it wasn't the Elders).. cuase i was like- "oh, white people"

I hope that is a good enough report for now. We're going to go shopping at the market /mall. (sooo awesome..) Then it's off to teach English.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, YOU ALl. Thanks for all your prayers and love. They really help! The Church is still true. Even in Thailand. Even in the year 2552 (oh yeah.. it's the year 2552 here in Thailand. Thanks Buddah).

Love,

Sister O'Neen (how Thai's say my name)

This is it... Dont get scared now

Sawadii KHA for the LAST time at the MTC!!! Wooo.....never thought this day would come.. blag (weird). And man! WHAT A WEEEK to report on:

Where to start:

Well, this week was the Mission President Conference so that made things really fun here at the MTC (long lines at the cafeteria because half of it was cut off and saved for the mission presidents, everyone turning into stalkers trying to find the apostles or mission president, etc...more security). We sadly did not get to meet our mission president becasue they didn't want any of the presidents to get swine fly, so the only time we could have seen them was during the big devotional...but i didn't know what they look like..But whatever...I'll just wait 7 more days and then meet them in Thailand.

So The first exciting story from this week was getting our flights plans. That's always an exciting time. So it's offical: We leave the MTC on Monday at 5:30pm; then we have a layover in LAX from about 10pm to 1 am; then a layover in Taiwan, and then finally get to THAILAND on Wed at 11am. So I'll be making some calls during that time. (Sorry, if I wake anyone up). [oh, mom, to answer your questions... I don't think I need anything. thanks! The phone numbers are great! If you do need to get anything to me, just make sure it all will get here by noon on Monday the 6th. Dear Elders are the way to go if you need to tell me anything]

Continuing on... Friday was our big devotional and all the major Mormon Celebs were there. We had 7 out of the 12 : Holland, Perry, Oaks, Christofferson, Andersen, Bednard, Cook. AWESOME. Elder Holland talked to all of us (Mission Presidents and missionaries) about having a "Divine Companionship," not only with our companions, but with the Holy Ghost.
We've had AMAZING talks on listening and recognizing the Spirit while here at the MTC from the apostles... I've really loved my life. Sitting there in that devotional was really just amazing. Soo spiritual and fantastic to be there with all the missionaries and the presidents. Wow.. if you could only feel it.

Then Sunday was seriously, a Perfect day. My district and I were all sitting outside the main building, "studying" aka stalking the Presdiency.. (over the weekend, all 12 apostles AND the Presidency were here, but I didn't see them all). We sat outside and enjoyed the hot summer weather and then we noticed they started the cars up. Then, President Uchtdorf and his wife walked out, waved and hopped in the car and took off. (he's soo tall! acutally, they all are). As we're watching Pres. Uctdorf drive off, the Prophet walks out! He then walked over to where we were and we ended up talking to him for about 30 min. By the time he left, the group have grown from 10- maybe 150 or so...and we were right up front. We told him where we were going, and 3 of my elders talked with him. It was sooo cool. He's basically been everywhere.. Elder Jensen (in my district) asked him "where haven't you been?" and Pres. Monson thought about it for a min, smiled and said "home" He's amazing. So then I look over and President Erying is out there too, talking with the other group. So it was great. All three of those men are so tall and you can just feel the power and Spirit oozing out of them. It was just great.

Well, I better go.. time is almost up. Everything is just great. The church is true and I love my life. I love you all too! Next time I'll be writting from the other side of the world, and the future.

Love!!!!! Hilary

Sawaddii Kha

Hanloo there!

Well, it's good (as per usual) to hear from you today, Mom. (i just noticed it said 3:35 am... can you still not sleep??!) Sounds like you're continuing to have many adventures. Yay for little Cracker. I can't wait to meet that kid. Sounds like Jenny will have a fun summer. Very busy! Good. Busy is the way to be. Life is better that way. However, I do think you, Mom, are too busy sometimes. And Dad. You should take a breather sometime. :) Which reminds me, When is the family trip? I was thinking about it today, and I only have about 2 weeks left here. Less than...I'll be on a plane somewhere over some ocean 2 weeks from today. We should get flight plans later this week, which is ridiculous to think about. (i just got here! What?!) So everyone, if you want to send me something while I'm still here in the MTC, make sure you do so by Next
Sat...the 4th. (yoah, 4th of July already?!) Oh and Mom, While i'm thinking about it...I need the phone numbers of everyone who would like to cause me to call them from the airport (sorry...that was just THAi grammar...weird). Are you going to be traveling all together on July 5th or 6th? I'm not sure yet what day we leave, but I'll be able to tell you next week.

So...let's see what I have to tell you about this past week. (I'm glad you got my letter about last week, and for typing it and sending it. Lisa said that you did. So yay.) Don't worry, I'm still healthy...we're all on Tamiflu (which acutally makes me want to throw up somtimes, but I'll take that over the real SWINE). I feel like this was a rather uneventful week to report on...We really just do that same things everyday. But rather than just saying "i'm still on a mission" I'll share some of the things I can remember from this week:

Bishop Edgely (the presiding Bishop of the Church) spoke to us last week. He talked about being happy...different ways we can be happy and more Christlike. It was great...as per usual. I would explain more about it, but I don't have my notes from it, and I can only really remember THai words right now. But just trust that it was great.

On Sat, we taught in the TRC (as per usual) but this time I taught in a Trio with Elder Hollowell and Elder Partridge. We thought Partridge would still be in Qaurantine, but he was out and we all taught together. I got to teach the natives again...Still can't understand them, and they can't understand me, but I still LOVE it. And them.. They are fun. (I got a letter from my Phii-Thais (Sister Lifferth and Christensen) who have been in Thai Town from a month now and they said that no one can understand them, but they love it and can't wait for me to experience it too. They
said the elephants and longsia (broken stomach....aka Dierreah) are waiting for me. Ummm.....Yes, please. (?) ahah. Oh man...I can't wait. Speaking of mail. Yesterday was like Christmas...literally... Grandma is so sweet and she sent me some chocolates. De-lish. Christmas in (almost) July. Thanks!

The temple is now closed...That is too bad... it's weird having 3 extra hours to do things... I'd rather be at the temple. Oh well..I'll do that in a year and 4 months when I come home and feel awkward about life so I just end up going to the temple all day. Excellent. Can't wait. haha.

Oh, this week is our fun and exciting "celebrity" week. Wed starts the mission president conference, so there will be all kinds of General Authorities lurking around. Ok... I doubt they'll be "lurking" but maybe I will be, trying to see them. :) Becasue of the SWINE, I don't think we'll be able to meet our President becasue they don't want them to get sick, but that's ok...we only have to wait a week and then they'll pick us up from the airport in THAILAND. I'll be sure to give you the full report on the happenings here next week.

Well...time is almost up. I better go now. So you can acutally get it this week. I would hate for that to happen again...especially since i just spent 30 min typing this whole thing up.. :) Oh, but one last thing. Can I just tell you how much I still LOVE being on a mission. Thank you, AGAIN and always for you love and support. I miss you all. I'll talk to you (litterally...in voice...(not person) very soon.) LOVE YOU!!

Love, Sister O'Neil ( Hili)

p.s. "Oh, dear."